Handy Andy plots route to Wembley

ANDY Morrell is hoping to write his name into Bury folklore by helping the Shakers get to Wembley. The nine-goal striker is set to feature in the League Two play-off semi-finals this week as the Shakers target their first promotion in 12 years.

ANDY Morrell is hoping to write his name into Bury folklore by helping the Shakers get to Wembley.

The nine-goal striker is set to feature in the League Two play-off semi-finals this week as the Shakers target their first promotion in 12 years.

Shrewsbury are all that stand between Bury and a first trip to Wembley for the club since they lost the 1995 play-off final to Chesterfield.

Morrell, 34, scored for Blackpool as they got past Oldham in the 2007 League One play-offs before beating Yeovil at Wembley so knows just what drama the play-offs can produce.

"It's manic," he said. "They're nervy times and you don't want to be the one that makes a mistake.

"But on the other hand, you can be the hero, you can become the local legend or part of local folklore by scoring the goal, making the save, or making the tackle that gets you through.

Despite beating Accrington 1-0 on Saturday to go level with Wycombe, Bury missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference by just one goal.

But Morrell insists the Shakers have put that heartache behind them and have been revitalised by the prospect of sealing promotion at Wembley.

"For me, if you go up then you might as well go to Wembley and do it," he said.

"It's a fabulous day out and it's great to be there as a player or a fan, but you have to make sure you go up because I don't want to imagine what it would be like to lose at Wembley!

"We've got to get there first though and we've two tough games coming up.

"Shrewsbury have sneaked in so they're delighted whereas we were disappointed not to go up automatically.

"However, to come fourth and miss out by one goal is a great achievement and our season's still on the go."

Blackpool's promotion to the Championship in 2007 came on the back of a 10-match winning streak and Bury have also finished the season strongly.

Saturday's win stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches and Morrell feels the Shakers should have every confidence heading into Thursday's trip to the New Meadow, with the return leg at Gigg Lane on Sunday lunchtime.

"We were in a great vein of form at Blackpool, as we are here, and we've got to take into the play-offs," he said.